Phalaenopsis plant named ‘MI01885’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘MI01885’, characterized by its upright plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; strong flowering stems; strong and upright leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two or three inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; large white-colored flowers; and good postproduction longevity and resistance to bud drop during transport.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘MI01885’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Assignee of the instant application, Microflor N.V. of Lochristi, Belgium on Mar. 23, 2021, application number 2021/0860. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

The Inventor/Applicant and Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor/Applicant and/or the Assignee. Inventor/Applicant and Assignee claim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘MI01885’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Lochristi, Belgium. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and relatively large flowers with unique and attractive flower coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination by the Inventor in April, 2014 in Lochristi, Belgium of a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number PH02119, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number PHM00372, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Lochristi, Belgium in May, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristem propagation in a controlled environment in Lochristi, Belgium since January, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this new Phalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘MI01885’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘MI01885’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.     -   3. Strong flowering stems.     -   4. Strong and upright leaves.     -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two or three         inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous         flowers.     -   6. Large white-colored flowers.     -   7. Good postproduction longevity and resistance to bud drop         during transport.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in flowering habit as plants of the new Phalaenopsis typically produce two to three inflorescences per plant whereas plants of the female parent selection typically produce one to two inflorescences per plant.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have broader leaves than         plants of the male parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have larger flowers than         plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘PHALFOWIC’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,245. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘PHALFOWIC’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have broader leaves than         plants of ‘PHALFOWIC’.     -   2. Lateral lobes of the labellum of plants of the new         Phalaenopsis are overlain with yellow whereas lateal lobes of         the labellum of plants of ‘PHALFOWIC’ are overlain with greenish         yellow.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can also be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘MI00901’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,686. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘MI00901’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are flatter than         and not as concave as flowers of plants of ‘MI00901’.     -   2. Peduncles of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are green in         color with brown-colored dots whereas peduncles of plants of         ‘MI00901’ are brown in color with green-colored dots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘MI01885’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘MI01885’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the winter in 12-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Lochristi, Belgium and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsis production. During the production of the plants, day and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 29° C. and light levels ranged from 150 Watt/m² to 375 Watt/m². Plants were 69 weeks old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘MI01885’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number PH02119, not patented.         -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number PHM00372, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About nine to ten weeks at             temperatures about 26° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About ten to eleven weeks at             temperatures about 26° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 140 to             160 days at temperatures about 26° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 150 to             180 days at temperatures about 26° C.         -   Root description.—Thick, fleshy; typically grey green in             color, towards the apex, close to light green; actual color             of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water             quality, fertilizer, substrate temperature and age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Small amount of branching; sparse. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright             plant habit with typically two to three inflorescences per             plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;             vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About             24 cm.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of             inflorescences.—About 52 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 42 cm. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about             six leaves per plant.         -   Length.—About 23 cm.         -   Width.—About 9 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching, about 20° to 30° from             vertical.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Unequal obtuse to retuse.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Margin.—Entire; distally, slightly revolute.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,             glabrous; moderately glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137B.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A; venation,             close to 137B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to 146A; venation, close to 137A. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers             arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two to             three inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with             about twelve flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching             inflorescences supported by upright peduncles; flowers with             three petals, two lateral petals and one center petal             transformed into a labellum and three sepals.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about 17 weeks after             an inductive cooling period; flowers open about six weeks             after flower buds develop.         -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers             maintain good substance for about 15 weeks on the plant;             flowers not persistent; plants of the new Phalaenopsis             resist bud drop during transport.         -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence             apex).—About 30 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—About 17 cm by 26 cm.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2.3 cm. Diameter: About 1.5 cm.             Shape: Ovate. Color: Close to 145C; distally, tinged with             close to 75B.         -   Flower diameter.—Relatively large, about 10.5 cm.         -   Flower depth.—About 2.8 cm.         -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals             and one center petal transformed into a labellum.         -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.8 cm. Width: About 6.5 cm.             Shape: Reniform. Apex: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture and             luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety;             matte. Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface:             Close to 155C; color does not change with subsequent             development. When opening and fully opened, lower surface:             Close to 155C; color does not change with subsequent             development.         -   Labella.—Appearance: Tri-lobed with two lateral lobes and a             central lobe. Length: About 2.7 cm. Width: About 2.5 cm.             Shape, lateral lobes: Ovate. Shape, central lobe: Hastate.             Apex, lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with             two long, narrow and recurved cirrose tips. Margins, lateral             and central lobes: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and             lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, moderately velvety; matte.             Callosities: Located at the base of the labellum and             attachment point of the lateral petals; about 5 mm in             length, about 7 mm in width and about 8 mm in height. Color:             When opening, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 155C;             towards the apex, overlain with close to 8A and 178A;             towards the base, stripes, close to 53A. Central lobe: Close             to 155C and 8A; towards the base, close to 178A.             Callosities: Close to 13B. When opening, lower surface:             Lateral lobes: Close to 155C; towards the apex, tinged with             close to 9B. Central lobe: Close to 155C and 9B; towards the             base, close to 178A. Fully opened, upper surface: Lateral             lobes: Close to 155C; towards the apex, overlain with close             to 8A; towards the base, stripes, close to 53A. Central             lobe: Close to 155C and 8A. Callosities: Close to 13B. Fully             opened, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 155C; towards             the apex, tinged with close to 9B. Central lobe: Close to             155C and 9B.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, two lower lateral             sepals and one upper dorsal sepal. Length, lateral sepal:             About 4.6 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About 2.7 cm. Length,             dorsal sepal: About 4.9 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About             3.2 cm. Shape, lateral sepals: Ovate. Shape, dorsal sepal:             Elliptic. Apex, lateral sepals: Obtuse. Apex, dorsal sepal:             Obtuse to broadly and bluntly acute. Base, lateral and             dorsal sepals: Acute to obtuse. Margin, lateral and dorsal             sepals: Entire. Texture and luster, lateral and dorsal             sepals, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety;             matte. Color, lateral sepals: When opening, upper surface:             Close to 155C to 150D with few spots, close to 53B. When             opening, lower surface: Close to between 145D to 155C; at             the margins, close to 145C; towards the apex and venation,             close to 76A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 155C;             spots, close to 76A. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to             155C; towards the base, close to 145C. Color, dorsal sepal:             When opening, upper surface: Close to 155C. When opening,             lower surface: Close to 145C; at the margins, close to 155C;             towards the apex, close to 76A. Fully opened, upper and             lower surfaces: Close to 155C.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 62 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm.             Strength: Strong, somewhat flexible. Aspect: Upright to             about 15° from vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth,             glabrous; matte. Color: Close to 146A; fine dots, close to             200C.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 4 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 85° from peduncle             axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:             Close to 143C; distally, close to NN155D.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.             Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to 155C.             Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter (per two             pollinia): About 2.5 mm. Pollinia color: Close to 23A.             Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 3 mm. Stigma width: About             5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color: Close to 155C.             Ovary length: About 6 mm. Ovary diameter: About 2 mm. Ovary             color: Close to NN155D overlain with close to 76B. Seeds and             fruits: To date, seed and fruit development have not been             observed on plants of the new Phalaenopsis. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis     have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been     observed to tolerate high temperatures of about 40° C. and suitable     for USDA Hardiness Zone 10. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘MI01885’ as illustrated and described. 